What to Look For When Hiring a Handyman

Start with the job, not the person

Before you compare anyone, write down exactly what you need done. A tight list — "hang two TVs, patch three plaster holes, re-silicone the shower" — lets a handyman give you an accurate estimate and lets you compare like for like. Vague requests get vague quotes, and that's where the surprises come from.

The essentials to check

Not every job needs a full background check, but for anything more than a quick fix, run through these:

• Public liability insurance — non-negotiable for work in your home. It covers accidental damage and injury while they're on site.
• Relevant licences for licensed work — if any part of the job touches electrical, plumbing, or gas, that portion must go to a licensed trade. A good handyman will tell you this upfront.
• Recent, genuine reviews — look for detail and consistency across a decent number of jobs, not just a single glowing line.
• Clear pricing — an hourly rate, a call-out fee, or a fixed price per task. You want to know how you'll be charged before they start.

Questions worth asking

A short conversation tells you a lot. Ask:

1. Have you done this type of job before, and can you describe how you'd approach it?
2. Do you charge by the hour or per job, and is there a minimum call-out?
3. Does the price include materials, or do I supply them?
4. If the job turns out bigger than expected, how do you handle that?
5. Do you carry public liability insurance?

You're not interrogating them — you're checking they communicate clearly and think before they act. How someone answers is often more telling than the answers themselves.

Reading the quote properly

A good quote is specific. It should spell out the work, the rate or fixed price, an estimate of hours, and what happens with materials. Watch for:

• Vague lump sums with no breakdown of what's included
• No mention of materials — a common source of blowouts
• Cash-only pressure with no invoice or record
• Prices that seem too good — often a sign corners will be cut or the scope will creep

Fixed price vs hourly

For a well-defined single task, a fixed price gives you certainty. For a mixed list where the scope is fuzzy, hourly can actually work in your favour — you only pay for the time used, and a good operator will knock over more than you'd expect in an hour.

Red flags to walk away from

Trust your gut if you see these:

• Won't confirm insurance
• Happy to do licensed electrical or plumbing work without the licence
• No written quote or estimate of any kind
• Poor communication before you've even booked — it rarely improves later
• Pushes for full payment upfront before any work is done

Melbourne context

Melbourne's a big spread, so factor in travel. A handyman based near your suburb often means smaller call-out costs and easier scheduling than someone crossing the city. Demand also spikes after winter storms and around the end of financial year, so book ahead where you can rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Making the call

The best handyman for you is the one who communicates clearly, prices fairly, and is honest about what's in and out of scope. That combination saves you far more than shaving a few dollars off an hourly rate.

If you'd like a straight answer on your list — what's a quick fix, what needs a licensed trade, and what it'll roughly cost — MB Handymen & Carpentry is happy to look it over and bundle the jobs into a single tidy visit so you're not chasing multiple bookings.